Asymmetry in diencephalic monoamine metabolism is related to side of ovulation in a reptile.
The green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis), like humans and other higher primates, alternates ovulation between left and right ovaries. To test the possible role of hypothalamic function in ovarian asymmetry, we measured levels of 3 major monoamine neurotransmitters (norepinephrine; dopamine; serotonin) and their metabolites in microdissected left and right diencephalon from lizards during the first cycle of ovulation in the spring. All of the metabolite/parent neurotransmitter ratios were significantly higher on the side of the diencephalon ipsilateral to the quiescent ovary than on the side of the maturing ovary. Simultaneous ovarian and brain asymmetry suggests direct communication between the ovary and brain, presumably through the ovarian innervation.
Jones
R E
RE
Department of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309.
Desan
P H
PH
Lopez
K H
KH
Austin
H B
HB
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012104:Reptiles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D002395:Catecholamines; D012701:Serotonin